Connector arrangement for a wiper device on motor vehicle windscreens

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an arrangement for the detachable connection of a wiper blade on a swivelable wiper arm of a wiper arrangement for windows of motor vehicles, with a bushing that can be connected to the wiper blade or arranged on it for accommodating a plug-in axis of the wiper arm and with a device to lock the plug-in axis in the bushing at least in an operating position of the wiper blade, in which the directions of the longitudinal extension of the wiper blade and the wiper arm are aligned approximately parallel to one another. It is provided that the device for locking includes a catch hook ( 20 ) arranged on the wiper blade ( 12 ), which in the operating position partially grips around the wiper arm ( 10 ) near the plug-in axis ( 16 ) and forms an angular limit stop for the wiper blade ( 12 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/538,940, filed Jun. 14, 2005, which is a national stage filing under35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/DE2003/002601, filedAug. 1, 2003, which claims foreign priority to German Patent ApplicationNo. 10259477.5, filed Dec. 19, 2002, each of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety for any purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a connecting arrangement of a wiper device forwindows of motor vehicles.

Various designs of wiper blades for windows of motor vehicles are known.Non-articulated wiper blades are typically composed of a wiper strip,which is reinforced by means of one or two spring rails and whichfeatures a wiper lip that can be applied to the window. The wiper bladecan be fastened to a swivelable wiper arm of the motor vehicle in adetachable manner approximately in the center by means of an adapter ora coupling part. In this case, the wiper arm features an adapter sectionon the end side with a pin situated on it, which can be inserted into abushing of the coupling part of the wiper arm and enables its rotatingmovement around the center axis of the pin.

In an operating position the directions of the longitudinal extension ofthe wiper blade and wiper arm are aligned approximately parallel to oneanother. In this position, the wiper blade is prevented from beingpulled out of its pin bearing by means of a hook that partially gripsaround the coupling part. At the same time, the hook forms a rotationalangle limit stop for the wiper blade. These types of non-articulatedwiper blades are not normally suited for being mounted on conventionalwiper arms, which do not have a pin for a swivelable connection to thecoupling part, but are planned for receiving a fastening clip. For thispurpose, one free end of the wiper arm is normally embodied or bent as aU-shaped receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An arrangement for the detachable connection of a wiper blade on aswivelable wiper arm of a wiper arrangement for windows of motorvehicles in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention featuresa bushing that can be connected to the wiper blade or arranged on it foraccommodating a plug-in axis of the wiper arm and a device to lock theplug-in axis in the bushing at least in an operating position of thewiper blade. The operating position is characterized in that in thiscase the directions of the longitudinal extension of the wiper blade andthe wiper arm are aligned approximately parallel to one another. Thefirst variation of the invention provides that the device for lockingincludes a catch hook arranged on the wiper blade, which in theoperating position partially grips around the wiper arm near the plug-inaxis and forms an angular limit stop for the wiper blade. The catch hookmakes sure that in the operating position of the wiper blade an axialmovement of the plug-in axis in the bushing is blocked to a largeextent. The wiper blade cannot be pulled off of the wiper arm in thisposition. As a result, a simply constructed and easy to handle lockingarrangement is made available, which in addition includes only very fewcomponents and therefore can be manufactured very cost-effectively.

A second variation of the connecting arrangement in accordance with theinvention provides that the device for locking includes a bow arrangedon a free end of the plug-in axis and projecting over its outsidediameter, which in the operating position locks the plug-in axis in thebushing so that it can swivel. In the operating position of the wiperblade, an axial movement of the plug-in axis in the bushing is thereforeblocked to a large extent. The bushing preferably features alongitudinal groove corresponding to the bow of the plug-in axis so thatthe plug-in axis can be inserted into the bushing only in a specificangular position and can be swiveled freely around its longitudinal axisin the inserted position and can be moved into an operating position. Inthis case, the bow arranged on the end of the plug-in axis andprojecting over the outside diameter of the plug-in axis blocks theplug-in axis from being pulled out of the bushing since the bow and thelongitudinal grove do not align with each other in the operatingposition. This variation of the connecting arrangement in accordancewith the invention also provides an arrangement to lock a wiper bladewith a wiper arm that is simple to manufacture and operate, which alsodistinguishes itself by very cost-effective manufacturability.

A third variation of the connecting arrangement in accordance with theinvention provides that the device for locking includes a catch hookarranged on the wiper arm, which in the operating position partiallygrips around a covering of a coupling element of the wiper blade, whichcovering contains the bushing, and forms an angular limit stop for thewiper blade. In this case, the free end of the wiper arm continues intothe catch hook, which at least partially grips around a correspondingcovering of the coupling element of the wiper blade as soon as the wiperblade is swiveled in the vicinity of the operating position. The plug-inaxis can preferably be inserted into the bushing of the coupling elementonly when the wiper blade is situated outside an operating position,i.e., is swiveled by 90° against the wiper arm for example. However, assoon as the wiper blade is swiveled by a small angle out of thisassembly position, the catch hook griping around the covering blocks theplug-in axis in the bushing and thereby prevents it from being pulledout. Like the variations that have already been described above, thisthird variation also provides a connecting element of a wiper blade thatis simple to manufacture and easy to handle, which also distinguishesitself by cost-effective manufacturability.

A fourth variation of the connecting arrangement in accordance with theinvention provides that the device for locking includes a locking pinarranged near and parallel to the plug-in axis, which locking pin in theoperating position engages in a trough-shaped receptacle of a couplingelement of the wiper blade and blocks to a large extent an axialmovement of the plug-in axis in the bushing and at the same time formsan angular limit stop for the wiper blade. The locking pin preferablyfeatures a heel on its free end having a greater thickness than thetrough-shaped receptacle so that the locking pin blocks an axialmovement of the plug-in axis in the bushing as soon as the locking pinis at least partially in the trough-shaped receptacle.

The previously described variations all distinguish themselves by thefact that the plug-in axis can only be displaced in the bushing in theaxial direction in a pre-defined angular range that differs from theoperating position. The wiper blade can be separated from the wiper armonly in an angular position outside the operating position.

Finally, a fifth variation of the connecting arrangement in accordancewith the invention for the detachable connection of a wiper blade on aswivelable wiper arm of a wiper arrangement for windows of motorvehicles provides for a bushing that can be connected to the wiper bladeor arranged on it for accommodating in a lockable manner a plug-in axisthat can be connected to the wiper arm, that the plug-in axis isarranged on a second coupling element that can be slid over a free endof the wiper arm and can be locked therewith. The second couplingelement can preferably be locked with the free end of the wiper arm. Thesecond coupling element can feature a sleeve-like contour in particular,which can be slid over the free end of the wiper arm and can be lockedin a detachable manner with it by means of locking tooth engaging in areceptacle. In this case, the plug-in axis is arranged rigidly on thesecond coupling element and locked in the bushing in a swivelablemanner.

All the variations of the connecting arrangement in accordance with theinvention make possible a connection between a wiper blade and a wiperarm of a windshield wiper device for motor vehicles that is simple tolock and detach. These connecting arrangements all distinguishthemselves by extremely simple operability and cost-effectivemanufacturability due to only a few components.

Additional advantageous embodiments of the invention are yielded in theother features cited in the dependent claims.

DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention is described in greater detail inpreferred exemplary embodiments on the basis of associated drawings. Thedrawings show:

FIGS. 1 through 3 Schematic perspective views of a first variation ofthe connecting arrangement in accordance with the invention.

FIGS. 4 through 9 Schematic perspective representations of a secondvariation of the connecting arrangement in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 10 through 13 Schematic perspective representations of a thirdvariation of the connecting arrangement in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 14 through 17 Schematic perspective representations of a fourthvariation of the connecting arrangement in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 18 through 21 Schematic perspective representations of a fifthvariation of the connecting arrangement in accordance with theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first variation of a connecting arrangement in accordance with theinvention is illustrated on the basis of FIGS. 1 through 3. A plug-inaxis 16 that is rectangularly aligned with the direction of thelongitudinal extension of the wiper arm 10 is arranged on one free end34 of a swivelable wiper arm 10. This plug-in axis can be inserted intoa bushing 18 of a coupling element 14 and can be swiveled there around acommon longitudinal axis of the plug-in axis 16 and the bushing 18. Thecoupling element 14 is a part of a wiper blade 12 and is preferablyfirmly connected to it. In addition, a catch hook 20 is provided on thecoupling element 14, which partially grips around the wiper arm 10 in anoperation position of the wiper blade 12, in which the directions of thelongitudinal extension of the wiper arm 10 and the wiper blade 12 arealigned approximately parallel to one another to a large extent (seeFIG. 3). FIG. 1 shows the wiper blade 12 separated from the wiper arm10. FIG. 2 shows the plug-in axis 16 inserted into the bushing 18,whereby the wiper blade 12 is rotated out of an operating position sothat the catch hook 20 does not grip around the wiper arm 10.

FIGS. 4 through 9 illustrate a second variation of a connectingarrangement in accordance with the invention. The coupling element 14that is firmly attached to the wiper blade features in turn a bushing 18for inserting a plug-in axis 16 fastened to the wiper arm 10. Thebushing 18 has a longitudinal groove 24 parallel to its longitudinalaxis in its cylindrical inner surface area (see FIG. 4), and this groovecorresponds to a bow 22 on the end of the plug-in axis 16 (see FIG. 5).The bow 22 projects at one point beyond the outer circumference of theplug-in axis 16 so that the plug-in axis 16 can be inserted into thebushing 18 only in a specific angular position. This position isillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the depictions in FIGS. 8 and 9, thewiper blade or the coupling element 14 that is connected to it isbrought into the operating position so that the bow 22 no longer alignswith the longitudinal groove 24 and the plug-in axis 16 cannot be pulledout the bushing 18. The wiper blade 12 is thereby swivelably locked withthe wiper arm 10.

FIGS. 10 through 13 illustrate a third variation of a connectingarrangement in accordance with the invention, in which the wiper arm 10itself is embodied on its end as a U-shaped catch hook 20. This catchhook 20 can grip around a covering 26 of a coupling element attached tothe wiper blade in such a way that the plug-in axis 16 can be insertedinto the bushing 18 of the covering 26 only in a specific angularposition (see FIGS. 10 and 11). If, however, the wiper blade is swiveledagainst the wiper arm 10 (see FIG. 12), the catch hook 20 blocks anaxial movement of the plug-in axis 16 in the bushing 18. At the sametime, the catch hook forms an angular limit stop for the wiper blade inthe vicinity of the operating position (see FIG. 13). The end of thecatch hook 20 is at least so far from the plug-in axis 16 that it can beinserted into the bushing 18 in a specific angular position (FIGS. 10and 11). The leg of the catch hook 20 has at least a width that makesgripping around the covering 26 and swiveling with a slight playpossible. The covering 26 is preferably formed in such a way that thecatch hook 20 is blocked in the vicinity of the operating position by afront side of the covering 26, as depicted in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 14 through 17 also show a fourth variation of a connectingarrangement in accordance with the invention, in which a locking pin 28is arranged on the wiper arm 10 near and parallel to the plug-in axis16, and the locking pin can engage in a trough-shaped receptacle 30 inthe covering 26 of the coupling element 14 as soon as the wiper blade isput into the operating position (see FIGS. 16 and 17). FIGS. 14 and 15illustrate the assembly position of the wiper blade, in which thelocking pin 28 is above the covering 26 and is not engaged in thereceptacle 30. In order to prevent an axial movement of the plug-in axis16 in the bushing 18 in the operating position, the locking pin 28features a heel 32 on its free end, whose outside diameter is greaterthan the opening of the receptacle 30. As a result, the wiper arm 10 isswivelably locked with the wiper blade 12 in the operating position (seeFIG. 16). FIG. 17 shows the connecting arrangement in the operatingposition, whereby in this case the covering 26 is pulled off of thecoupling element 14. The coupling element 14 features a contour with twoparallel brackets stretching upward in which the bushing 18 is embodiedas openings that are each aligned with one another. The receptacle 30 onthe other hand is determined by the shaping of the covering 26.

Finally, FIGS. 18 through 21 show a fifth embodiment of a connectingarrangement in accordance with the invention, in which the wiper arm 10only has one free end with a recess 42 via which a second couplingelement 15 can be slid, on which the coupling element 14 that isconnected to the wiper blade is pivoted (see FIGS. 18 and 19). Theplug-in axis 16 that is locked swivelably in the bushing 18 by means offolded-over locking brackets 44 (see FIG. 20) is firmly attached in thismanner to the second coupling element 15. This second coupling elementfeatures a spring clip 36, which has a locking tooth 38 on its innerside pointing to the wiper arm 10 (see FIG. 21), which in the positionthat is slid on the wiper arm 10 engages in the recess 42 (see FIG. 18)and provides a detachable locking of the second coupling element 15 withthe wiper arm 10.

An unlocking handle 40 is arranged on the free end of the spring clip36, and this unlocking handle makes it possible to manually unlock thelocking tooth 38 and therefore pull the second coupling element 15 offof the free end 34 of the wiper arm 10.

The five variations of the connecting element depicted all make aconnection of a wiper blade to a wiper arm of a motor vehicle possiblethat is very simple to handle and only has a few components. Because ofthe very few components that are embodied in a very simple manner, theconnecting arrangements can be manufactured cost-effectively and arealso suitable for retrofitting existing wiper arms.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An apparatus for the detachable connection of awiper blade (12) on a swivelable wiper arm (10) of a wiper for windowsof motor vehicles, the apparatus comprising a bushing (18) one ofconnectable to the wiper blade and arranged on the wiper blade foraccommodating a plug-in axis (16) of the wiper arm to define a pivotaxis of the wiper blade, and the apparatus comprising a device to lockthe plug-in axis in the bushing at least in an operating position of thewiper blade, in which a direction of longitudinal extension of the wiperblade and of the wiper arm are aligned approximately parallel to oneanother, wherein the plug-in axis (16) extends transverse to thelongitudinal extension of the wiper arm, whereby the device for lockingincludes a catch hook (20) arranged on the wiper arm (10), which in theoperating position partially grips around a covering (26) of a couplingelement (14) of the wiper blade (12), which covering contains thebushing (18), and forms an angular limit stop for the wiper blade (12),wherein the free end of the wiper arm (10) continues into the catch hook(20).
 22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the plug-in axis(16) is displaceable in the bushing (18) in the axial direction in apre-defined angular range that differs from the operating position. 23.An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the wiper blade (12) isseparatable from the wiper arm (10) in an angular position outside theoperating position.
 24. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein thewiper blade (12) is separatable from the wiper arm (10) in an angularposition outside the operating position.
 25. An apparatus for thedetachable connection of a wiper blade (12) on a swivelable wiper arm(10) of a wiper for windows of motor vehicles, the apparatus comprisinga bushing (18) one of connected to the wiper blade and arranged on thewiper blade for accommodating a plug-in axis (16) of the wiper arm todefine a pivot axis of the wiper blade, and the apparatus comprising adevice to lock the plug-in axis in the bushing at least in an operatingposition of the wiper blade, in which a direction of longitudinalextension of the wiper blade and of the wiper arm are alignedapproximately parallel to one another, wherein the plug-in axis (16)substantially extends transverse to the longitudinal extension of thewiper arm, wherein the device for locking includes a locking pin (28),in the operating position, engaging in a trough-shaped receptacle (30)of a coupling element (14) of the wiper blade (12) and blocking to alarge extent an axial movement of the plug-in axis (16) in the bushing(18).
 26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the locking pin(28) forms an angular limit stop for the wiper blade (12).
 27. Anapparatus according to claim 25, wherein the locking pin (28) isarranged near the plug-in axis (16).
 28. An apparatus according to claim27, wherein the trough-shaped receptacle (30) is arranged near thebushing (18).
 29. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein thelocking pin (28) is arranged parallel to the plug-in axis (16).
 30. Anapparatus according to claim 29, wherein the trough-shaped receptacle(30) is arranged parallel to the bushing (18).
 31. An apparatusaccording to claim 25, wherein the locking pin (28) has a heel (32)having a greater thickness than the trough-shaped receptacle (30). 32.An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the locking pin (28) has afree end with the heel (32).
 33. An apparatus according to claim 31,wherein the plug-in axis (16) is displaceable in the bushing (18) in theaxial direction in a pre-defined angular range different from theoperating position.
 34. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein thewiper blade (12) is separatable from the wiper arm (10) in an angularposition outside the operating position.
 35. An apparatus according toclaim 25, wherein the plug-in axis (16) is displaceable in the bushing(18) in the axial direction in a pre-defined angular range that differsfrom the operating position.
 36. An apparatus according to claim 25,wherein the wiper blade (12) is separatable from the wiper arm (10) inan angular position outside the operating position.
 37. An apparatus forthe detachable connection of a wiper blade (12) on a swivelable wiperarm (10) of a wiper for windows of motor vehicles, the apparatuscomprising a bushing (18) one of connected to the wiper blade andarranged on the wiper blade for accommodating in a lockable manner aplug-in axis (16) connectable to the wiper arm to define a pivot axis ofthe wiper blade, wherein the plug-in axis (16) is arranged on a secondcoupling element (15) slidable over a free end (34) of the wiper arm(10) and detachably lockable therewith, whereby the second couplingelement (15) features a spring clip (36) having an inner side and alocking tooth (38) in the inner side pointing toward the wiper arm (10),which in the position that is slid on the wiper arm (10) engages in arecess (42) in the free end of the wiper arm (10) and whereby anunlocking handle (40) for manually unlocking the locking tooth (38) isarranged on the free end of the spring clip (36).
 38. An apparatusaccording to claim 37, wherein the second coupling element (15) islatchable to the free end (34) of the wiper arm (10).